They said the winning app would help save lives and could be used easily across Australia.

Ilan Lowbeer, a state support services officer from St John Ambulance, said he believed the app would help improve clinical outcomes and the response time to people in need. He said the app would be available by the end of the year.

There were more than 115 entries from Australian charities.

The Vodafone Foundation, which organised the competition, donated $30,000 to St John Ambulance.

It also donated $10,000 to OzHarvest which came second with its app design that will enable food donors to notify the charity when they have food available.